A young woman and local educator was the latest victim of a bizarre incident of fraud. She was busy with her monthly grocery shopping at Heidelberg Mall on November 27 at around 14:00.
The victim was approached by two seemingly friendly ladies and engaged in a conversation. Suddenly the victim unknowingly left her shopping trolley in the middle of the grocery outlet and followed the ladies to one of the clothing stores. According to the victim, she subconsciously handed her wallet and cellphone over to the suspect women. She was told that they would safekeep her items in a security locker, but this was the last she remembered.
“It was a terrifying experience. It was as if I had no control over my actions and did exactly what they demanded. It felt like I was hypnotised or drugged, ‘’ said the victim who wishes to stay anonymous due to fear and the ongoing investigation.
“When I eventually realised what had happened, I immediately went to the bank to cancel my cards, but it was too late. They withdrew a large amount of cash from my bank accounts from a local petrol garage,” she added. The owner of the garage provided film footage of the suspects while they were withdrawing the money.
A woman came forward about three years ago with a similar claim of an incident that also happened at Heidelberg Mall. According to Captain Thivhulawi Tshilate (spokesperson: Heidelberg SAPS), an ongoing investigation by Heidelberg SAPS is underway and more information will follow as it becomes available.
Anyone with more information on this incident can phone Heidelberg Detective branch on 016 341 0422/0409.
